Taliban says stance on peace talks is the same as it was when talks were canceled in September

The Taliban has stated that it is ready to discuss peace talks with the U.S., but that its position has not changed since talks were canceled back in September after Donald Trump stated that the militant group wants a cease-fire.

Before Trump shut down peace talks the U.S. and Taliban were set to sign a draft agreement stating that a possible cease-fire would be determined by later negotiations with Afghanistan’s government.

The Taliban has made it clear that this has not changed.

“We are ready to talk, but we have the same stance to resume the talks from where it was suspended,” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said.

A spokesperson for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently told the Washington Post that Trump’s trip to Afghanistan over Thanksgiving was “important” but that “we will have to see” whether it changed anything.

“It is too early to comment on any changes or any perceived changes,” said spokesperson Sediq Seddiqi.

A Trump senior administration official stated that they are “restarting talks” with the Taliban.

“If an agreement can be reached, the two sides could potentially expand the talks and pave the way for signing a peace agreement,” the official said.

The Taliban has stated that it is ready to discuss peace talks with the U.S., but that its position has not changed since talks were canceled back in September after Donald Trump stated that the militant group wants a cease-fire.

Before Trump shut down peace talks the U.S. and Taliban were set to sign a draft agreement stating that a possible cease-fire would be determined by later negotiations with Afghanistan’s government.

“We are ready to talk, but we have the same stance to resume the talks from where it was suspended,” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said.

A spokesperson for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently told the Washington Post that Trump’s trip to Afghanistan over Thanksgiving was “important” but that “we will have to see whether it changed anything.”

“It is too early to comment on any changes or any perceived changes,” said spokesperson Sediq Seddiqi.

“If an agreement can be reached, the two sides could potentially expand the talks and pave the way for signing a peace agreement,” the official said.

Back in September, Donald Trump called off peace talk negotiations with both the Taliban and Afghanistan after the Taliban claimed an attack in Kabul that killed 11 civilians and one member of the U.S. military.

If the peace talks resume it is unclear when that would begin. Trump is preparing to leave this upcoming week for London to attend a NATO summit.